Summer brings fresh new shows

Updated 8:01 am, Friday, June 1, 2012

Michael Shanks is a surgeon who, while in a coma, watches over his hospital colleagues, including his surgeon/fiancee played by Erica Durance in NBC's "Saving Hope."

Michael Shanks is a surgeon who, while in a coma, watches over his hospital colleagues, including his surgeon/fiancee played by Erica Durance in NBC's "Saving Hope."

Photo: NBC

Summer brings fresh new shows

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Long gone is the TV season that once was written off as a wasteland.

These days, viewers are treated to fresh entertainment of every type during the hot months. Among the offerings this go-round are crime and medical dramas with fresh twists, the return of “Dallas,” an acerbic look at cable TV news, “Cheers”-style comedy and more.

Then there are the hottest of returns: Vamp drama “True Blood” takes another bite out of summer with some new blood, namely a powerful new character played by Christopher Meloni of “Law & Order: SVU” fame. Action-packed sci-fi hit, “Falling Skies,” unveils a second season with more aliens and bloody havoc than before. And Bryan Cranston reprises his complex role as husband, father, meth cooker and, now, killer for the summer debut of “Breaking Bad's” final season.

Read on for capsules of warm-weather newcomers (in order of their appearance), along with dates and times for beloved staples.

“Saving Hope” (9 p.m. Thursdays, NBC, premieres Thursday): Not your usual medical drama, this new hour mixes gritty surgery, heartfelt stories, romance and the supernatural. The central couple consists of fellow surgeons, Alex (Erica Durance) and Charlie (Michael Shanks), who are about to be married, when an accident leaves him in a coma and his spiritual self wandering around Hope-Zion hospital and offering insights about the work of his fiancée and other doctors.

“Bunheads” (8 p.m. Mondays, ABC Family, premieres June 11): “Gilmore Girls” scribe Amy Sherman-Palladino delivers another angst-ridden teenage comedy-drama, this time set in a California ballet school. The adults, especially aging showgirl Michelle Simms (Sutton Foster), also aren't having the best of times, but manage to have fun anyway.

“Dallas” (8 p.m. Wednesdays, TNT, premieres June 13): It's great to see old-timers J.R., Bobby and Sue Ellen (Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray) having such a devilishly good time in this feisty continuation of the hit soap set in the Lone Star State. But newcomers who play the next generation of Ewings, Josh Henderson as John Ross and Jesse Metcalfe as Christopher, are equally as compelling to watch.

“The Soul Man” (9 p.m. Wednesdays, TV Land, premieres June 20): Cedric the Entertainer stars in this new, bigger-than-life sitcom from the creators of “Hot in Cleveland.” It's about an R&B singer who wants to start a new career as a preacher. Niecy Nash co-stars as his wife.

“The Newsroom” (9 p.m. Sundays, HBO, premieres June 24): Aaron Sorkin conquered Facebook with “The Social Network” and Washington with “The West Wing.” He now turns that keen eye for satire and drama to a cable newsroom of journalists who want to do the admirable thing but are also caught up in trying to get ratings. Jeff Daniels plays a popular anchorman in the middle of a meltdown.

“Anger Management” (8 p.m. Thursdays, FX, premieres June 28): The burning question is: Will Charlie Sheen get his second act? Judging by catchy promos for this new ensemble comedy — about a divorced dad with anger issues who decides to provide therapy to others suffering from this problem — he's certainly doing his best to get our attention.

“Perception” (9 p.m. Mondays, TNT, premieres July 9): Eric McCormack of “Will & Grace” fame plays a quirky-to-the-max neuroscience professor with paranoid delusions who's recruited by the FBI — specifically by a former-student-turned-agent — to help them solve complex cases. Is it me, or is this character awfully similar to PBS' modern-day Sherlock Holmes?

“Political Animals” (9 p.m. Sundays, USA, premieres July 15): On the surface, the politico played by Sigourney Weaver seems a TV version of Hillary Clinton. She's a former first lady and current secretary of state who's serving under the man (Adrian Pasdar) who beat her in the presidential election. However, creators promise the resemblance is superficial and the six-episode series is more family drama than political saga.

“Sullivan & Son” (9 p.m. Thursdays, TBS, premieres July 19): If you loved “Cheers,” this new bar comedy from the executive producer of that hit sitcom, Rob Long, could be your mug of ale. It stars Steve Byrne as a corporate lawyer who returns home to Pittsburgh and decides to buy his dad's (Dan Lauria) popular watering hole, where “everybody knows your name.”

“Major Crimes” (9 p.m. Mondays, TNT, premieres Aug. 13): Already feeling withdrawal now that “The Closer” is heading into its final episodes? Not to worry. Most of the cast and characters of that crime series, minus lead Kyra Sedgwick, are reuniting for this spin-off which will revolve around Brenda's old internal affairs nemesis, Capt. Sharon Raydor (Mary McDonnell).

Rocking reality

“Dogs in the City” (7 p.m. Wednesdays, CBS): Forget sex; four-legged friends are where it's really at. Handsome pooch expert Justin Silver goes about proving that in this new series that advises New York City dwellers on caring for their pooches properly.

“Take Me Out” (7 p.m. Thursdays, Fox; Thursday): George Lopez plays matchmaker to 30 single women looking for a potential mate and several brave bachelors who are under extreme pressure to make a strong first impression.

“The Choice” (8 p.m. Thursdays, Fox, premieres Thursday): Cat Deeley of “So You Think You Can Dance” hosts this celebrity dating show that seems like a romantic version of “The Voice.” Famous bachelors and bachelorettes (Dean Cain, Rob Kardashian, Joe Jonas and Carmen Electra among them), sit with their backs to a group of women and select potential partners based on voices and answers to questions. In short, the ultimate first blind date.

“Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp” (9 p.m. Tuesdays, Lifetime, premieres June 19): Her mom wasn't the only one in the family deemed worthy of a reality show. The show, set primarily in Alaska, will give us glimpses into the lives of the “Dancing With the Stars” alumna and her 3-year-old son, Tripp, as well as the family and friends who surround them.

“Snooki & JWOWW” (9 p.m. Thursdays, MTV, premieres June 21): “Jersey Shore's” breakout star Snooki and close pal, Jenni JWoww Farley, are roommates. The spinoff follows Snooki through her pregnancy and wedding to her baby daddy while taking an up close and personal look at JWoww's relationship with her boyfriend.

“Trust Us With Your Life” (8 p.m. Tuesdays, ABC, premieres July 10): Fred Willard hosts this new twist on the celebrity interview. Stars and notables, such as Ricky Gervais, Jane Seymour and Mark Cuban, describe key moments of their lives while talented improvisers turn them into dramatic or comedy routines.

“Brand X with Russell Brand” (Premieres at 10 p.m. June 28, FX): A six-episode late-night series that has the irreverent British actor/comedian chatting with the audience about the latest in pop culture, politics and other timely topics.